Replies

1. 
   peter28 | Oct 10, 2006 03:11pm | #1

   Remove all traces of the wax by washing it down with mineral spirits followed by wiping with paper towels. Do it in sections and keep turning the towels over so as not to redistribute the wax.

   Staining has nothing to do with a smooth finish. All it does is color the wood. After the wax is removed, a light sanding with 600 grit paper should be sufficient to smooth the surface. Follow this with a light rubbing with a grey scotch pad. Clean all the dust off and you can proceed with the wipe on finish.

   Peter Gedrys

1. 
   royjcouvillion | Oct 10, 2006 03:16pm | #2

   Thanks.

   The pecan has open pores.  What is your suggestion for filling them?

1. 
   peter28 | Oct 10, 2006 04:22pm | #3

    

   Pore filling takes place prior to finishing. Some avoid this step by putting on and sanding back multiple coats of finish. However a wipe on poly does not have enough body or solids to allow you to do this.

   If you don't want to strip and start over;

   Sand the surface thoroughly with 320 and be careful not to cut through to the color. Re coat with a full body poly applied with a brush. Follow the directions and brush on thin coats. Sand well between coats. I'm guessing two or three thin coats will do. The pores are relatively small and should be filled when you finish. The con to this method is a thicker coating. Poly has the stigma of getting that plastic look.

   The other option is to strip it and fill the pores in sequence.

   Peter Gedrys

    

1. 
   royjcouvillion | Oct 10, 2006 09:46pm | #4

   If it will make for a better finish, I'll strip it and restart.

   After stripping and resanding the top, should I fill the pores, stain, then finish with a wipe-on?

   I think I've read before that you recommend the Sherwin Williams filler.  Are you referring to Sher-Wood Wood Surfacer and Flat Lacquer?

1. 
   peter28 | Oct 17, 2006 03:35pm | #5

   The proper sequence would be;

   Strip, sand, clean, stain, wash coat, fill the pores, seal and finish.

   Pore filler is not a lacquer. It ONLY fills the pores. A lacquer is a surface coating.

   PG